title: Physiological and anthropometric progression in an international oarsman: a 15-year case study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this case study, a world-class rower was followed over a period of 15 y in which he evolved from junior to professional athlete.
  
  
  METHODS
  An incremental exercise test and a 2000-m ergometer test were performed each year in the peak period of the season starting at the age of 16 y. In addition, the training logs of 1 y each as a junior and a senior rower were recorded and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2max)), maximal power output (P(max)), and power output at 4 mmol/L blood lactate concentration increased until the age of 27 and then stabilized at 30 y at 6.0 ± 0.2 L/min, 536 ± 15 W, and 404 ± 22 W, respectively. At the age of 27-28 y the rower also had a career-best 2000-m ergometer test (5'58″) and on-water performance with a 4th place at the Olympic Games (2008) in Beijing and World Championships (2009). At the age of 23 y, the rower trained a total of 6091 km in 48 wk. Of the total training time, 15.4% consisted of general training practices, 23.4% resistance training, and 61.2% specific rowing training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The on-water performance in the World Championships and Olympic Games corresponded closely to the evolution in the rower's physiological profile and 2000-m ergometer performance. The long-term build-up program resulted in an increase in the physiological parameters up to the age of 27 y and resulted in a 4th position at the 2008 Olympic Games at a body mass of only 86 kg.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Movement and Sport Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bourgois
authors.forename: Adelheid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Steyaert
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boone
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000886:Anthropometry; D054874:Athletic Performance; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001827:Body Height; D049628:Body Size; D001835:Body Weight; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D053580:Muscle Strength; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D064797:Physical Conditioning, Human; D013177:Sports; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D019344:Lactic Acid